Aerospace & Defence Buyer — Supply Chain Impact

Eaton; Wimborne Minster; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Internal promotion

Learning & development

CSR values

Job summary

Eaton Wimborne seeks a proactive Buyer to secure materials, components and services, keeping production on track and ensuring quality and cost efficiency. You will own supplier portfolios, drive performance, and influence outcomes across the organisation in a fast-paced defence environment.

You’ll manage the full procurement lifecycle, including vendor negotiations, scheduling, and data accuracy, with a strong focus on compliance with FAR/DFAR and ITAR/EAR requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience in a supply chain environment, ideally as a Buyer in mechanical, electrical, or aerospace sectors.
• A degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, or equivalent industry experience.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Solid supplier relationship management experience.
• Technical understanding of the commodities you’ll manage.
• Ability to work under tight financial and time constraints.
• Professional certifications like CIPS, CPM, or CPIM are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Vendor performance ownership — You’ll manage and develop your supplier base, ensuring they deliver on time, to spec, and to cost.
• MRP/ERP execution — You’ll process MRP demand, issue purchase orders, manage acknowledgements, and keep the system accurate and up to date.
• Schedule and demand management — You’ll action exception messages, adjust schedules, and ensure supply aligns with production needs.
• Open order book management — You’ll track, review, and maintain accurate supply dates to protect production continuity.
• Change management — You’ll communicate and implement changes to requirements, pricing, and schedules.
• Issue resolution — From FAIR and NCR issues to technical or commercial challenges, you’ll drive problems to closure.
• Supplier communication — You’ll negotiate delivery, pricing, and priorities to keep supply on track.
• Master data ownership — You’ll ensure part records are accurate and compliant.
• Performance monitoring — You’ll track OTD, quality, and cost performance, and report on supplier KPIs.
• Non‑conformance management — You’ll coordinate returns and replenishment to minimise production impact.
• Compliance — You’ll operate in line with FAR/DFAR, ITAR/EAR, and company policies.

Skills

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation skills

Supplier performance management

Experience in aerospace supply chain

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain or equivalent

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

Eaton Wimborne seeks a proactive Buyer to secure materials, components and services, keeping production on track and ensuring quality and cost efficiency. You will own supplier portfolios, drive performance, and influence outcomes across the organisation in a fast-paced defence environment.

You’ll manage the full procurement lifecycle, including vendor negotiations, scheduling, and data accuracy, with a strong focus on compliance with FAR/DFAR and ITAR/EAR requirements.